Progress Report 2007

PROGRESS REPORT 2007

STCB is a member of Table of Contents

Welcome 3

STCB Board and Staff 4

Donors 5

Conservation Partners, In-Kind Services Donors and Core Volunteers 5

Science 6

Nesting Beach Monitoring 6

Foraging Ground Surveys 8

Presence of Disease 14

Turtle Tracking Study 15

Conservation 17

Overview 17

Beach Cleaning and Monitoring 17

Rescued Turtles 18

Conservation Setbacks 21

Education and Public Awareness 22

Training and Collaboration 22

Strategic Partnerships and Organizational Development 24

Fund Development 24

Financial Report 24

Appendix I. List of turtles captured in the water and tagged during 2007 25

Appendix II. List of nests recorded on Klein Bonaire during 2007 30

Appendix III. List of nests on other Bonaire beaches during 2007 31

2 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Welcome…

Greetings to the sponsors and friends of Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB). We proudly present to you our annual Progress Report. In this report you will learn of the many activities and accomplishments carried out in 2007 to accomplish our mission: to ensure the protection and recovery of Bonaire’s sea turtle populations throughout their range.

We focused our 2007 work on six objectives designed to help us achieve our mission:

Science Improved understanding of sea turtle biology through research in order to guide conservation efforts in benefit of these endangered species.

Conservation Effective management and conservation of Bonaire’s sea turtles and their habitats, resulting in improvements in environmental policy; law and enforcement that ensure conservation and recovery; clean nesting sites; and abundant, high quality foraging habitats.

Education and Public Awareness Increased public awareness of, and concern for, sea turtle conservation, resulting in increased volunteerism and participation in conservation policy, action and advocacy.

Training and Collaboration Provision of training and collaboration opportunities for conservation volunteers and workers that results in increased capacity, locally and throughout the region, for sea turtle conservation efforts.

Fund Development Increased financial investment, both public and private, in support of the protection and recovery of Bonaire’s sea turtle populations.

Organizational Development Development, maintenance, and use of systems and resources that facilitate effective operation of the organization

Of special note, we initiated two significant changes in 2007 that you will see con- tinuing in future years. One is in the area of funding. For the past several years we were fortunate to receive the majority of our operational funding from Netherlands government sources. This is no longer the case and we are now developing a more diversified funding stream; one that includes a variety of grants, partnerships, community support, and merchandise sales. This requires consistent attention and programming in these areas annually. In 2007, we made significant progress in all of these areas.

Another area of change is in our understanding of what we need to address to carry out our mission. Seventeen years ago, when STCB was founded, turtles were threat- ened by direct harvest, accidental capture, and destruction of nests, and accordingly, our conservation efforts focused on direct protection for turtles. Over time those early

3 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 threats have been brought under significant control and are now overshadowed by other issues, primarily the threats posed by Bonaire’s burgeoning human population. If STCB is to protect turtles effectively into the future, we must continue direct protection, but we must also play an effective role in addressing threats posed by inadequately managed development such as sand mining that destroys nesting habitat; beachfront construction causing polluting runoff and sedimentation of reefs and foraging areas; and untreated, uncontained sewage that leaches into the marine environment and causes deadly nutrification of reefs. Our activities must increasingly include partnerships and initiatives that focus on a bigger picture and use sea turtle conservation as a focal point to drive and stimulate conservation awareness and efforts. In 2007, we started more deliberately on that path.

Our work could not be done without community support, both financially and through volunteerism. We especially want to thank all of those who helped this past year. We hope you find this report informative and that it encourages your continued support of Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire. If you have not yet been a supporter, we hope that this report encourages you to join our community of friends.

Sincerely,

Bruce Brabec Mabel Nava Board President STCB Manager

Board of Directors

Bruce Brabec, President/Treasurer Allerd Stikker

Corine Gerharts Anouschka van de Ven

Marlene Robinson Guido Wiersma

Diana Sint Jago Advisory Board

Albert de Soet Jan Kloos

Staff

Mabel Nava, Manager

Funchi Egbreghts, Field Specialist

Robert van Dam , Scientific Advisor

4 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Donors

Kim Anway-Anastasia Lois & Eldon Kretsch-Gemmill Debra Babcock M. Labouchere Bruce Brabec & Marlene Robinson Catherine Levin Alexandra Brown Maduro & Curiel's Bank Bonaire Ben & Laura Buchbinder MINA Fund Cynthia Callahan RosAnne Nandan Michael Carey Rick & Lila Nicholson Barbara Chu Linda Olsen CIEE Research Station Bonaire Marabeth Owens Tim & Jennie Clements Project AWARE Foundation Beach Conger REMAX Paradise Homes Thomas Cousino Robby & Bob Revel Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Rotterdam Zoo Co de Koning Lee Scruggs Albert de Soet Sierra Canyon School Students Anna & Ed DeLoach Sharon Spray Divi Flamingo Beach Resort Michael & Jenni Stanfield Patti Dougherty STCB Netherlands Cher Floyd Don Stewart on behalf of Gwen Dee Stewart Jerome Gauron Sunbelt Realty Marie-Ann Tenbult John & Sarah Tobias Carla Goudeswaard Judy Trafford Michael & Mary Griffith Truus & Gerrit van Riemsdijk Foundation Ria Heitkonig Andy Uhr & Lee Bray Patrick Holian Rien van der Gun William Holman Sandra Veel Roger Howard Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Richard Hoyer Network (WIDECAST) Fredericka Hughes Anonymous contributions Pauline Kayes

Conservation Partners, In-Kind Services Donors and Core Volunteers

BITS (Hanny Kalk & Gijs Hoogerkamp) NetTech N.V. (Jake Richter & Susan Davis) Bruce Bowker’s Carib Inn SELIBON NV CARGILL Salt Bonaire NV Serena Black Chile Ridley SGB students Doi Boekhoudt STINAPA Freewinds Support Bonaire Inc. Gaia Productions The Beach Shop at Harbor Village Harbor Village Marina Tina Lindeken Indusbank tugboat crew Wanna Dive Jong Bonaire WIDECAST Kantika di Amor Anne Zaat 5 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Science

Nesting Beach Monitoring

The beaches of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire were surveyed periodically for sea turtle nesting activity, with emphasis on the most actively used nesting area around "No Name" on Klein Bonaire. No Name beach was visited with greatest frequency and is Bonaire’s index beach for measuring annual fluctuations in nesting activity.

Turtle nesting activity was first registered during 2007 on May 7th, when a loggerhead track and nest was discovered on Fisherman Hut beach along the south coast of Bonaire. At nearby Atlantis, the first green turtle of the season was encountered on July 24th, laying a nest there. The first hawksbill nesting of the 2007 season occurred at No Name beach, Klein Bonaire, on June 15th.

During 2007, a total of 23 loggerhead and 26 hawksbill nests were recorded on No Name beach, with the months of May and June showing the greatest nesting activity for loggerheads, whereas hawksbills were most active in July and August (Figure 1). Both loggerhead and hawksbill nests were fairly uniformly spread out along No Name beach (Figure 2). Two additional loggerhead nests were documented laid in June on the west coast of Klein Bonaire near the Munk’s Haven dive site, but were subsequently lost by swells. These two nests fall outside the designated nesting index area at No Name beach and are therefore not included in the index. Compared to the 50 nests counted there in 2006, the total number of turtle nests deposited on No Name beach remained essentially the same. Loggerhead activity increased from only 8 nests laid in 2006 to 23 in 2007, whereas hawksbill activity declined from 42 to 26 nests. Such stochastic annual fluctuations are typical for a population consisting of only a limited number of individuals.

Nesting size and productivity were measured through nest revisions after hatching. At No Name beach, revision of 20 loggerhead nests yielded an average nest size of 130.1 eggs (range 86 – 162) and average hatching success for these nests was 76.2%. Revision of 23 hawksbill nests yielded an average nest size of 152.1 eggs (range 112 – 219) and hatching success of 71.1%. Both hawksbill and loggerhead hatching success rates were much higher than in 2006, returning to the typical levels observed in these species.

The estimated number of hatchlings produced at the index beach of Klein Bonaire during 2007 can be calculated from the total number of nests, average nest size and average hatching rate. The 23 loggerhead and 26 hawksbill nests laid along No Name resulted in approximately 2280 live loggerhead and some 2810 live hawksbill hatchlings emerging from their nests. The total of 5090 turtle hatchlings estimated emerging from No Name beach during 2007 is substantially higher than 4300 hatchlings reported for 2006 and the 4500 for 2005, and reflects the higher hatching success rates, which in turn appears to be due to improved incubation conditions on the nesting beach. Three loggerhead nests due to hatch were opened on No Name beach in the presence of the public for educational purposes.

Nesting activity on the rest of Bonaire was more dispersed throughout the 2007 nesting season (Figure 1). Playa Chikitu within the Washington Park registered 3 green turtle nests with no activity observed on the other beaches in the Park. Four loggerhead and five green turtle nests were deposited along the southwest beaches at Fishermen’s Hut and near the Atlantis dive site. One additional loggerhead nest was recorded on the small beach at Boca Onima. A total of 9 hawksbill nests were laid along the south coast from Donkey Beach to Sorobon Beach resort (see Appen- dix II). The hawksbill nest at Sorobon produced no hatchlings, probably due to the unfavorable incubation conditions in the low-lying beach there.

Figure 1. Temporal distribution of nests laid by loggerheads, hawksbills and green turtles on the beaches of Bonaire (bottom) and No Name beach, Klein Bonaire (top).

7 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Figure 2. Diagram of individual hawksbill and loggerhead nest locations along No Name beach, Klein Bonaire.

Foraging Ground Surveys

Foraging ground surveys were conducted by snorkeling along the entire west coast of Bonaire, all around Klein Bonaire, and in front of Lac Bay (Figure 3). In addition, turtle surveys using the netting technique were done inside Lac Bay. The purpose of these snorkeling surveys is to tag, sample and measure individual turtles, and to establish catch-per-unit-effort measures of turtle abundance. For comparison, the surveyed area was separated into sectors for comparison as follows: Klein Bonaire, Northwest and Southwest Bonaire, the reef outside of Lac Bay, and Lac Bay proper.

Figure 3. Sectors of coastal areas of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire covered during in-water surveys. 8 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Total survey hours 2003 2005 2006 2007 Klein Bonaire 25.88 24.54 17.45 13.22 Bonaire Northwest 38.68 25.18 Bonaire Southwest 23.85 20.17 Bonaire Southeast 14.25 9.85

Table 1. In-water snorkeling survey effort in hours by sector from 2003 to 2007.

The snorkeling survey effort at Klein Bonaire was reduced after 2005 to allow greater focus on surveying other areas of Bonaire, in particular the Northwestern and South- western coasts of the island. From 2006 to 2007, all surveyed areas of Bonaire saw a modest increase in green turtle abundance (Table 2). With the exception of the Lac Bay turtles, the green turtles encountered during snorkeling surveys are mostly im- matures smaller than 40 cm straight carapace length (SCL). Locations with particularly high green turtle abundance include Ebo’s Reef at Klein Bonaire, Andrea, and the Marine Reserve south of Bopec. The reef in front of Lac Bay harbors a very high density of animals (Table 2 and Figures 4a & 5), which are associated with the Lac Bay sea grass pasture foraging grounds.

Hawksbill turtles occur in lower numbers than green turtles throughout Bonaire and Klein Bonaire (Figure 4b) and since 2006 their abundance appears to have declined slightly throughout the surveyed areas (Table 2). Similarly to green turtles, a high density aggregation of hawksbill turtles is found on the reefs adjacent to Lac Bay (Figures 4b & 5), and these animals may also be using the bay for foraging.

Green turtles Hawksbill turtles

2003 2005 2006 2007 2003 2005 2006 2007

average ± standard deviation

Klein Bonaire 4.85 ± 3.95 2.64 ± 2.19 5.18 ± 3.50 1.29 ± 1.17 1.16 ± 1.34 1.76 ± 1.83 1.48 ± 1.50

Bonaire Northwest 2.12 ± 2.44 3.41 ± 3.35 1.45 ± 1.53 1.01 ± 0.93

Bonaire Southwest 1.01 ± 1.52 1.43 ± 2.12 1.04 ± 2.06 0.89 ± 1.13

Bonaire Southeast 33.10 ± 25.06 44.1 ± 17.57 4.17 ± 3.94 3.01 ± 2.42

Table 2. Comparison of 2003-2007 “catch-per-unit-effort” survey results by sector around Klein Bonaire and Bonaire.

9 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Figure 4a. Locations where green turtles were captured during snorkeling surveys around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.

Figure 4b. Locations where hawksbills were captured during snorkeling surveys around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.

10 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Figure 5. Netting locations inside Lac Bay (white boxes), and locations of hand-captured green turtles (green stars) and hawksbills (red circles) on the reefs outside Lac Bay.

2003 2005 2006 2007

Number of netting sessions 16 13 40 33

Total netting hours ("net soak 17.9 8.9 32.9 30.0 time")

Green turtle catches/hour 0.88 ± 0.76 4.38 ± 3.97 2.90 ± 2.25 2.42 ± 1.67

Hawksbill catches/hour 0.10 ± 0.28 no data 0.16 ± 0.39 0.26 ± 0.69

Table 3. Catch-per-unit-effort results for netting surveys conducted at Lac Bay (catch rates expressed as mean ± standard deviation).

Net-assisted turtle capture surveys were conducted during two periods in 2007: March 21st-30th and November 19th-November 27th. The netting locations are shown in Figure 5 and were mostly near the channel leading out of Lac Bay. This area is both a transit zone for turtles as well as a foraging area. Some additional net sets were done in front of the fishermen’s pier at Sorobon. A total of 74 green turtles and 7 hawksbills were caught in the net, then tagged, measured, inspected, photo- graphed, and released. The measure used to determine turtle abundance using nets is the catch rate per hour of net “soak time”. From 2006 to 2007, the netting effort and deployment locations were similar, making some comparisons possible, although high variation in catch rates between net sets gives some uncertainty in the results (Table 3). Green turtle abundance remained fairly constant at 2.41 animals caught per net set hour, whereas only 0.26 hawksbills were captured per hour, which is a

11 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 slight increase over previous years. Only with data collected over the longer term can we adequately establish the abundance trends of turtles in Lac Bay.

Figure 6. Size distribution of hawksbill and green turtles captured, tagged and measured at Bonaire. Black bars indicate recapture of turtles tagged in previous years.

Combined, the snorkeling and netting surveys yielded a total of 70 hawksbills and 129 green turtles, of which 30 hawksbills and 14 green turtles were recaptures (Fig- ure 6). Gathering information on movement and somatic growth rates is possible by recaptures of previously tagged turtles. Two hawksbill turtles made significant movements from their original capture location: juvenile hawksbill turtle 06-025 was first tagged near the Fishermen’s Huts (South-west coast of Bonaire) on March 1st 2006, then recaptured on March 20th, 2007 inside Lac Bay (and subsequently there again on November 23rd, 2007). Another hawksbill, turtle 06-124, moved from Klein Bonaire where it was tagged on June 21st, 2006, across to the Andrea I dive site along the central west coast of Bonaire by March 2, 2007, when it was recaptured there. No significant movements of tagged green turtles on the foraging grounds of Bonaire or Klein Bonaire were detected.

12 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Recaptured turtles yielded substantial information on somatic growth rates for green turtles and hawksbills over a wide size range (Figure 7). For both species, animals caught in or near Lac Bay exhibited exceptionally high growth rates, suggesting that Lac Bay has very high quality foraging habitat. Growth rates of turtles living on the reefs along the rest of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire are more in line with those growth rates measured in other Caribbean turtle populations. Recaptured adult hawksbill turtles did not increase significantly in body size, which is normal in such animals.

Figure 7. Somatic growth of hawksbill and green turtles recaptured at Bonaire, with turtles captured at Lac Bay indicated with open circles. Horizontal lines indicate the size range over which an individual’s growth was recorded.

13 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Presence of Disease

Fibropapillomatosis occurs in green turtles at Lac Bay and all animals captured there are examined for the presence of external tumors. Of 50 green turtles examined in March 2007, 8 turtles (16.0%) exhibited some evidence of tumors (Table 4). How- ever, none of the 49 green turtles caught subsequently in November 2007 in Lac had evident tumors. It is unclear why there would be such variation in tumor occurrence, since there is likely no seasonal effect and numbers of examined turtles are high enough to eliminate biased data due to stochastic effects. To date, no hawksbill turtles have been found at Lac Bay with any evident fibropapillomas.

Green Year Month w/FP Occurrence % turtles 2003 March 14 0 0 2004 March 20 0 0 2005 March 46 8 17.4 2006 March 56 13 23.2 2006 November 37 7 18.9 2007 March 50 8 16.0 2007 November 49 0 0

Table 4. Number of green turtles captured in Lac by survey period and occurrence of evident tumors.

Figure 8. Green turtle 07-087 caught in Lac Bay exhibiting fibropapilloma tumors in the eye.

14 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Turtle Tracking Study

Sea turtles are highly migratory animals, and as such understanding their migratory patterns and behavior at sea are critical elements if we are to protect them. To ex- pand our understanding of Bonaire’s sea turtles, Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire placed satellite telemetry devices on two turtles in 2007.

The first turtle to be fitted with a satellite tracking device was ‘Eloise.’ STCB staff and volunteers intercepted ‘Eloise’, a large female hawksbill turtle as she came ashore at 10:30 pm on July 12th, 2007 at No Name Beach on Klein Bonaire. Working into the early morning hours, ‘Eloise’ was released back into the sea at 2:30 am with a satellite transmitter attached to her carapace. ‘Eloise’ was named after the granddaughter of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the sponsor of this research effort.

After laying five nests, ‘Eloise’ left Bonaire on the morning of August 26th and started her journey back to her home foraging grounds. During the course of her migration, ‘Eloise’ swam right through the heart of Hurricane Felix in early September as she made her way to the northwest.

Our female hawksbill ‘Eloise’ made it to her home grounds, the Albatross Bank, some 50 km southeast of Jamaica, on approximately September 16th. To get home, ‘Eloise’ swam 25 days and traveled over 1350 km. The Albatross Bank is over 1000 km from ‘Eloise’s starting point on Klein Bonaire.

Figure 9. ‘Eloise’s tracking map from Bonaire to the Albatross Bank

On July 24th, a green turtle nesting on the Atlantis dive site on the southern coast of Bonaire was fitted with a satellite transmitter by STCB staff and volunteers. This was the second green turtle ever fitted with a transmitter on Bonaire. This turtle was named ‘Darwina’ by her sponsors, Karen and Ken Miller.

‘Darwina’ was unlike any turtle STCB has tracked in the past. Most of the turtles tracked to-date have been hawksbills, and as mentioned above, ‘Darwina’ was only 15 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 the second green turtle to be tracked from Bonaire. Our past experience has shown that sea turtles, after laying a nest and returning to the sea, move to a location not too far from the nesting beach to rest after the stress and effort of nesting and stay in that general area until it is time to nest again.

Not ‘Darwina’! She immediately started swimming south and then east before travel- ing all the way back to Curacao and then returning Bonaire to nest again. After each nesting, she would journey far from Bonaire only to return in time to lay her next nest.

Finally after laying her sixth nest, ‘Darwina’ departed on or about September 29th to start her journey back home. Unfortunately her signal was lost on November 14th while she was off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Her migration back to the point where her signal was lost took her over 2200 km from Bonaire, a record distance for all the turtles STCB has tracked so far. The actual path she covered ex- ceeded 2750 km. All told, since having the transmitter affixed, ‘Darwina’ traveled just short of 7000 km!

Figure 10. ‘Darwina’ makes it to the Yucatan

The turtle tracking study continued to attract lots of public attention to our turtles, with press coverage both on Bonaire and elsewhere. Given the involvement of the Dutch Royal Family, interest and excitement over ‘Eloise’ in the Netherlands was especially high. ‘Darwina’s energetic and marathon travels made her a favorite with the people of Bonaire. Whenever turtles were moving, tracking updates were produced and sent via our E-Newsletter to the press and whoever else expressed interest.

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire would like to thank the 2007 sponsors and to ac- knowledge the support given to the Turtle Tracking Study by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. Without their assistance the 2007 project would not have happened.

16 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Conservation

During 2007 we continued to emphasize action and advocacy. As part of our work we kept on enhancing partnerships with the local community. We monitored and pro- tected nests from predators and human events, conducted annual beach clean-ups, placed barriers at nesting sites to prevent vehicles from driving over them, and rescued turtles from threats such as entanglements.

Bonaire residents notified STCB or STINAPA when they recognized signs of turtle activity or saw evidence of threats to turtles, and participated in beach clean-ups and snorkel surveys. STINAPA, the managing organization of the Bonaire National Ma- rine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park, played a complementary role by patrolling additional habitats and enforcing conservation law.

Earth Day Clean-up was conducted the 22nd of April. Organized with STINAPA, the clean-up was conducted in two different locations: Baby Beach (southeast coast) and Playa Chikitu at Washington Park (northeast coast). Staff from both organizations with the help of volunteers worked together to make this happen. As part of this effort SELIBON cleaned Lagoen (east coast) with their loader under the guidance of STCB staff Gielmon “Funchi” Egbreghts.

A beach clean-up was conducted at No Name beach on Klein Bonaire the 16 of September. The clean-up was organized by STCB and STINAPA as part of the annual International Coastal Clean-up effort sponsored by the Ocean Conser- vancy. No Name beach is Bonaire's primary hawksbill and loggerhead nesting beach and maintaining unobstructed access to beaches for egg laying females is extremely important to the survival of these endangered animals.

As in other years, the cruise ship Freewinds supported the effort, providing food and drinks as well as volunteers. The water taxi Kantika di Amor helped with the transportation of volunteers and SELIBON participated by placing a truck on the pier for dumping trash. Trash was sorted and the types of trash collected were recorded on data forms that were then sent to the Ocean Conservancy. Ocean Conservancy releases an annual report with the results of the clean-up sites all over the world and the data is used to help formulate strategies for reducing marine debris.

A total of 175 bags of trash were collected and sorted. As part of our effort to re- duce, re-use and recycle, the bags will be saved and re-used in the next clean- up.

The International Coastal Clean-up is the world’s oldest and largest volunteer effort to clean up our marine environment. Each year, volunteers removed trash and debris from their local beaches, rivers, lakes and streams – along shorelines and under the water. Since 1986, over five million volunteers in 123 countries have cleaned 130,000 miles of shoreline – over five times the circumference of the earth.

17 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Figure 11. – STCB staff with students from the Stichting Project

Small beach clean-ups were regularly conducted during the year with the help of the high school students that participate in our program. These clean-ups are part of an ongoing activity we perform once a week, 3 to 4 months per year. Monitoring the nesting beaches with STCB staff and helping keep them clean is an important part of the students’ hands-on experience.

Rescued turtles

I. One hawksbill hatchling was found in the bay of Lac during the windsurfing Pro-kids event by one of the young competitors (August). This hatchling was not a newborn; it was already two times the size of a just-hatched turtle. It was released on the west side of Bonaire by STCB staff. Three other hatchlings were found and released during the year. Doi Boekhoudt, a fisherman on the island, now converted into a turtle conservationist, found these hatchlings on different occasions during the year in the area of Lac where he lives. Every time he finds a hatchling or a turtle in distress he informs us.

II. One green turtle was captured during one of our regular in-water surveys on February 14th. This turtle presented signs of disease. Not having a turtle veterinarian available on the island we decided to use the Marine Turtle Trauma Response man- ual, prepared by WIDECAST, to diagnose and treat the animal. The turtle was released after 24 hours into the sea.

Figure 12. Green turtle captured and released after treatment

18 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 III. On August 8th 2007, at approximately 5:00 pm, STCB received an emer- gency call of a sea turtle entangled, in a home-made longline with floats and hooks, near the BOPEC oil terminal.

The crew of the tugboat Indusbank were on duty off the oil terminal when they spot- ted the leatherback turtle. Recognizing that it was in distress and needed immediate assistance, Captain Willy Meye and his crew were able to get a rope around the turtle. Working from a platform from the side of the tugboat, the crew cut off much of the line and a number of floats that encircled the turtle. Oil terminal supervisor Jan Em- erenciana then called Din Domacasse, Chief Ranger of the BNMP, who immediately contacted Mabel Nava, Manager of STCB

With time being an issue and sunset near, Mabel and BNMP Ranger Duvan Rios quickly responded to the call. With support from Ramon de Leon, the marine park's manager and Carlos Rodriguez, the operations manager at Harbor Village Marina, a marine park boat was rapidly fueled and equipped. Accompanied by Andy Uhr, acting STCB President, Mabel and Duvan were on the water and headed north at 5:45 pm.

When the team reached the Indusbank, the rope securing the turtle was quickly passed to the marine park boat. In spite of the Indusbank's work, the turtle still had significant amounts of twisted nylon line wrapped around her, with the line having cut deeply into and around each of her front flippers and the back of her neck.

Efforts to remove the remaining line while working from the marine park boat proved to be less than successful. Mabel, donning a mask and fins, went over the side to work in the water. With two sets of hands from the boat steadying the leatherback, Mabel removed the remainder of the line and floats. Sea turtles are tough and resil- ient animals and attempting to bring them in for veterinary treatment presents a potential for harming the animal so the leatherback was released. Though seriously injured, she swam away into the deep blue using a steady and strong stroke, giving the team encouragement that she would survive her ordeal.

This rescue was made possible by the quick and positive actions of Captain Willy Meye and the crew of the Indusbank: Francis Verginie, Leopoldo Clarenda and Florenso Thode. STCB extends its thanks to them and everyone else involved in the effort.

The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the biggest of all living turtles, reaching a length of over 2.7 m (8.8 ft) and weight of 900 kg (2,000 lb) and is listed by international authorities as critically endangered. The leatherback is found world- wide in all oceans. Our leatherback was quite small, measuring an estimated 1 m (3 ft) across the carapace and weighing over 100 kg (220 lb). Leatherbacks are occa- sional visitors to Bonaire and are usually seen passing through on their way to destinations unknown.

Longline fishing is illegal on Bonaire and to our knowledge not practiced here. But the practice is common along the coast of South America and it is thought that is where the leatherback became entangled. This was the second such incident in 2007. In April, the remains of a hawksbill turtle ensnared by a similar fishing rig were recov- ered from a dive site at the southern end of the island (see “Conservation Set-backs,” below).

19 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Figure. 13. BNMP Ranger and Indusbank Crew Members

IV. On December 11th a hawksbill turtle was rescued due to the vigilance and effort of the community.

Early in the day STINAPA received a phone call from Clinton Sint Jago, a resident of Rincon, reporting a turtle in trouble. While walking along the shore at Morotin, in the north-east part of the island, he came upon an entangled and stranded turtle. STINAPA called STCB and both teams traveled to Morotin and found the turtle alive. In all likelihood, this adult male hawksbill got entangled with ropes and thick nylon lines somewhere in the open seas and had drifted for quite a while. Now weakened and hurt, it had washed ashore and probably would have died if Clinton had not happened upon it.

STCB staff checked the turtle after cutting the lines. The turtle was measured and tagged. He was then taken to Boca Onima for release. Everyone present was im- pressed to see how fast the turtle entered the water.

In order for STCB and STINAPA to accomplish our conservation goals it is essential we get reports of problems in a timely fashion. This is a happy example of how an endangered sea turtle was saved and it would not have happened if it wasn't for the concern and effort of Mr. Sint Jago. We encourage everyone to become part of this very important network and always report problems promptly.

20 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Figure.15 STCB staff and volunteer untangling the turtle

Conservation setbacks

On April 4th a dead adult hawksbill was found at Vista Blue dive site. A bunch of nylon rope with two coca-cola bottle buoys was found entangled in a gorgonian. The bones and the rest of the turtle lay on the sandy bottom under the gorgonian and lines. The turtle most likely drifted entangled in the artisanal longline and buoys. It is likely that the turtle drowned while attempting to eat and the lines got entangled in the gorgonian. The gorgonian was at a depth of 40 ft. We estimated that the turtle was 78cm SCL (straight carapace length) and weighed probably 58 kg. Lines and bones were removed by STCB staff with the help of volunteers. The skeleton has been given to the CIEE Research Station for educational purposes.

Figure 16. Carapace bones and lines entangled in the gorgonian at Vista Blue dive site

On September 18th, a dead hawksbill was reported by a sailboat crew. The sailboat was moored at Klein Bonaire when the dead turtle was seen drifting. The turtle was estimated to be 35 cm carapace and the head was missing.

21 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Education and Public Awareness

Our 2007 program with SGB, Bonaire’s public high school, proved to be popular with the youngsters. The program consisted of a group of 7 students from the social science class. More students applied but sadly we did not have the capacity to receive them all. This program started in 2006 as an opportunity for students to learn through community service. As part of their curriculum in school, students must do 30 volunteer hours for a company or organization. Our program is focused on having students learn about sea turtle conservation work at the same time that they help us with fieldwork such as nesting monitoring and beach clean-ups. At the end of their 30 hours, they have learned theory and some practice about sea turtle biology and conservation work. This is the second year that we have done this activity. Last year the STCB program was ranked number one in the list of choices for this class.

In 2007 we again supported STINAPA’s NME program, providing turtle presentations for the elementary schools of the island. Two elementary schools requested extra presentations as part of special activities they organized with the theme of life be- neath the sea. Presentations were given in Papiamentu by STCB Field Specialist Gielmon ‘Funchi’ Egbreghts, who is very charismatic with the kids.

As part of our working relationship with STINAPA during 2007 we again contributed to their snorkel program “Turtuganan di Boneiru,” giving the class about sea turtles.

We released satellite tracking maps and conservation news on our web site at www.bonaireturtles.org, and through email newsletters

In 2007 the popular “Sea Turtles of Bonaire” presentation was shown weekly, alter- nating between Buddy Dive Resort and the Carib Inn. During the month of September staff provided a special program at Buddy Dive Resort. The program consisted in one nesting beach monitoring excursion to Klein Bonaire for 6 tourists and one evening presentation per week.

Informative articles and releases were published in the local press and in STINAPA’s quarterly publication “Makubeken.”. We used radio to publicize conservation issues and advertise volunteer opportunities.

We participated in the Stichting Project’s Junior Ranger program, teaching youngsters about turtle conservation and biology. Stichting Project provides education for students with learning disabilities. Two groups participated in this program. At the end of the program the students were certified as honorary turtle rangers.

Training and Collaboration

Volunteers have played an important role in STCB’s successes since its inception. Volunteerism allows STCB to accomplish the work that needs to be done. Being a small but professional nonprofit organization we understand the value of having people donate their time to the turtle conservation effort. We consider our volunteers part of the turtle family. In return they gain knowledge and experience in turtle conservation work. We continue to focus on maintaining a core crew of volunteers for the in- water surveys while also providing opportunity for short-term walk-ins to participate in conservation work.

22 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 During 2007, 590.52 hours of direct effort (number of hours in the water) was contributed by our volunteers for the in-water capture surveys including the netting surveys at Lac. The time contributed is significantly greater when travel time and surface time, which includes application of our research protocols (measurement, tagging, etc.), are considered.

Other areas in which we depend on volunteers are grant writing and the satellite tracking program. Satellite tracking depends on volunteers to assist with the deployment of the transmitter and the long-term tracking effort that follows. Last year Andy Uhr wrote the Satellite Tracking Update Reports and the regular releases to the public.

Figure 17. STCB staff and volunteers in Lac during the netting sessions in March

One volunteer from Holland, Bas van der Voort, came to Bonaire to help us for a month in the in-water surveys. The sailing community is also an important source of volunteers. Tina Lindeken, a part time resident on Bonaire, has volunteered several weeks each year for three consecutive years. As part of our volunteer and cooperation with other turtle conservation efforts in the Caribbean Region we hosted Maria Fernanda Gonzalez, a biology student from the Universidad Central de Venezuela who is working to become a turtle specialist. Local teenagers like Andrea Simal and Rafael Rodriguez join the project on an ad hoc basis. Sadly our friend and volunteer Chile Ridley is no longer with us. His captain skills were a great help for us during the in-water surveys and he recruited many volunteers for STCB. We mourn his passing and we miss Chile for sure!

23 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Strategic Partnerships and Organizational Development

Strategic partnerships and organizational development are areas we started to focus on increasingly last year (see “Fund Development,” below regarding the STCB- STINAPA strategic alliance process supported by WNF).

STCB Manager Mabel Nava participated in the 23rd Annual Symposium on Sea Tur- tle Biology Conservation and the WIDECAST (Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network) annual meeting held at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the United States, in February 2007.

Fund Development

In 2007 we made important progress in our approach to fund development. The change was generated through both internal and external forces. STCB's strategic plan calls for increasingly effective fundraising planning and diversification of funding sources to ensure that we can meet our program goals in the long-term. On a practi- cal level, our three-year operating funds grant from the Netherlands government came to an end last year. Accordingly, our 2007 fund development goals were to work toward diverse, sustainable funding sources and long-term partnerships.

Staff and several board members formed a fundraising team that pursued an ambi- tious plan targeting individual and business donations, grants and merchandising. We were able to exceed our minimum revenue targets for the year, which meant that STCB had the financial capacity to accomplish our program goals.

A significant partnership-building effort was undertaken between STCB and STINAPA in 2007. Always close working partners, our two organizations underwent a strategic alliance process which resulted in a memorandum of understanding. This understanding outlines a path of cooperation and resource sharing aimed at in- creasing our combined capacity to protect the island's natural resources. World Wildlife Fund Netherlands encouraged our strategic alliance process and supported its implementation through a three-year grant that provides significant operating support for STCB beginning in 2008.

Financial Report

The total income for 2007 was 156,244 Nafl, and expenses were 154,213 Nafl. Grant revenue accounted for 56% of the total revenue. Donations accounted for 40% and the remaining 4% came from merchandise sales, program fees, and interest income. A copy of our 2007 financial report, prepared by a contracted accountant, is available for review at the office of Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire.

24 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Appendix I. List of turtles captured and tagged during 2007.

Green turtles Date Measure capture Tag left Tag right Turtle ID Location d by SCL Weight 26-Jan-07 WH1020 BX1361 06-009 Sabadecco GE 49.7 15.8 29-Jan-07 WH1213 WH1214 07-007 Marget- Bay GE 28.2 2.8 31-Jan-07 WH1016 WH1015 07-008 White Slave GE 31.6 4 12-Feb-07 BX1242 WH1225 07-016 Karpata GE 45.0 12.4 14-Feb-07 BX1244 WH1197 07-020 Reserve1 GE 42.6 8.6 14-Feb-07 WH1195 WH1196 07-021 Reserve1 GE 26.9 9.6 14-Feb-07 BX1245 WH1198 07-019 Reserve 1 GE 41.2 2.5 16-Feb-07 BX1246 WH1199 07-026 Bopec GE 36.5 6.2 19-Feb-07 07-027 Playa Frans GE 24.1 1.8 19-Feb-07 WH1204 WH1203 07-028 Playa Frans GE 32.2 4.5 21-Feb-07 07-029 Slagbaai GE 27.2 2.4 21-Feb-07 BX1249 WH1205 07-031 Playa Frans GE 32.9 5 23-Feb-07 BX1251 WH1206 07-032 Slaagbai GE 32.6 4.8 23-Feb-07 WH1207 BX1350 05-089 Wayaka GE 40.7 9.3 23-Feb-07 BX1252 WH1208 07-034 Wayaka GE 34.8 5.7 26-Feb-07 WH1211 WH1212 07-036 Sweet Drams GE 29.0 3 26-Feb-07 WH1226 WH1227 07-038 Sweet Dreams GE 25.7 2 5-Mar-07 WH1235 WH1234 07-045 Andrea II GE 24.3 1.6 7-Mar-07 WH1237 WH1236 07-046 Ladanias GE 26.4 2.5 9-Mar-07 WH1241 WH1240 07-051 Playa Franz GE 30.8 3.9 9-Mar-07 WH1242 BX1255 07-052 Playa Franz GE 35.6 5.4 9-Mar-07 BX1258 WH1245 07-055 Slaagbai GE 31.5 4 19-Mar-07 WH1250 BX1259 07-056 Lac GE 42.8 9.3 19-Mar-07 WH1225 BX1264 07-057 Lac GE 51.4 17 19-Mar-07 WH1252 BX1265 07-058 Lac GE 52.2 18 19-Mar-07 WH1246 BX1261 07-059 Lac GE 32.8 4.7 19-Mar-07 WH1247 BX1260 07-060 Lac GE 43.2 11.3 19-Mar-07 WH1248 BX1263 07-061 Lac GE 53.8 23 20-Mar-07 WH1258 BX1270 07-063 Lac GE 65.7 40 20-Mar-07 WH1257 BX1269 07-064 Lac GE 53.7 20 20-Mar-07 WH1255 BX1267 07-065 Lac GE 38.0 6.8 20-Mar-07 WH1254 BX1266 07-066 Lac GE 60.6 31 21-Mar-07 WH1261 BX1273 07-069 Lac GE 46.8 14 21-Mar-07 WH1260 BX1272 07-070 Lac GE 40.2 8.5 21-Mar-07 WH1263 BX1274 07-071 Lac GE 63.7 21-Mar-07 WH1264 BX1275 07-072 Lac GE 48.6 18 21-Mar-07 WE4256 Bx1329 05-041 Lac GE 57.1 23 22-Mar-07 BX1276 07-074 Lac GE 52.7 21 22-Mar-07 WH1266 BX1278 07-076 Lac GE 55.5 24 22-Mar-07 WH1267 BX1279 07-077 Lac GE 63.3 34 22-Mar-07 WH1269 BX1280 07-078 Out of Lac GE 64.3 36 22-Mar-07 WH1270 BX1281 07-080 Out of Lac GE 71.9 53 23-Mar-07 WH1273 BX1284 07-081 Lac GE 51.5 15.6 23-Mar-07 WH1271 BX1282 07-082 Lac GE 37.3 6.8 23-Mar-07 WH1272 BX1283 07-083 Lac GE 54.8 22 23-Mar-07 WH1274 BX1285 07-084 Lac` GE 60.6 26 23-Mar-07 WH1275 BX1286 07-085 Lac GE 57.6 24-Mar-07 WH1078 BX1153 06-067 Lac GE 51.4 18 24-Mar-07 WH1276 BX1287 07-087 Lac GE 68.7 43 24-Mar-07 WH1277 BX1189 07-088 Lac GE 73.7 60

25 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Green turtles (continued) Date Measure capture Tag left Tag right Turtle ID Location d by SCL Weight 26-Mar-07 WE4276 BX1339 05-059 Lac GE 59.4 28 26-Mar-07 WH1279 BX1289 07-092 Out of Lac GE 66.0 41 27-Mar-07 WH1281 BX1291 07-096 Out of Lac GE 41.2 9.1 27-Mar-07 WH1280 BX1290 07-097 Out of Lac GE 52.3 18.8 27-Mar-07 WH1282 BX1292 07-098 Out of Lac GE 61.7 31 27-Mar-07 WH1284 BX1294 07-099 Out of Lac GE 46.1 11.7 27-Mar-07 WH1284 BX1298 07-100 Out of Lac GE 55.8 25 27-Mar-07 WH1287 BX1297 07-101 Out of Lac GE 76.4 65 27-Mar-07 WH1286 BX1296 07-102 Out of Lac GE 66.9 39 27-Mar-07 WH1285 BX1295 07-103 Out of Lac GE 64.8 37 27-Mar-07 WE4245 BX1326 05-039 Out of Lac GE 56.4 25 28-Mar-07 WH1291 BX1121 07-105 Lac GE 48.8 16.6 28-Mar-07 WH1032 BX1381 06-043 Lac GE 56.1 23 28-Mar-07 WH1290 BX1300 07-107 Lac GE 40.9 9.1 28-Mar-07 WH1292 BX1364 07-108 Lac GE 63.0 33 28-Mar-07 WH1293 BX1341 07-110 Lac GE 48.1 14.7 29-Mar-07 WH1299 WH1298 07-111 Lac GE 36.4 6.6 29-Mar-07 WH1297 WH1296 07-112 Lac GE 43.6 11 29-Mar-07 WH1301 WH1300 07-113 Lac GE 40.0 8.5 30-Mar-07 WH1303 WH1304 07-115 Out of Lac GE 45.6 11.5 30-Mar-07 WH1306 WH1305 07-116 Out of Lac GE 76.4 75 30-Mar-07 WH1303 WH1302 07-117 Out of Lac GE 39.6 9.1 30-Mar-07 WH1312 WH1311 07-118 Lac GE 41.4 8.9 30-Mar-07 WH1310 WH1309 07-119 Lac GE 51.1 16 30-Mar-07 WH1314 WH1313 07-120 Lac GE 56.2 25 30-Mar-07 WH1316 WH1315 07-121 Lac GE 46.8 13.2 30-Mar-07 WH1308 WH1307 07-122 Lac GE 57.5 24 10-apr-07 WH1325 WH1324 07-123 No Name KB GE 32.9 4.9 10-apr-07 BX1122 WE4200 04-069 Leonora GE 49.1 16.8 25-Jul-07 WH1331 WH1332 07-139 Atlantis GE 0.0 19-Nov-07 WH1333 BBG201 07-140 LAC GE 57.0 28 19-Nov-07 WH1161 BX1211 06-148 LAC GE 58.0 25 19-Nov-07 WH1334 BBG202 07-142 LAC GE 40.7 8.6 19-Nov-07 WH1335 BBG203 07-143 LAC GE 75.0 66 19-Nov-07 WH1338 BBG206 07-144 LAC GE 45.7 11.3 19-Nov-07 WH1337 BBG205 07-145 LAC GE 47.9 12.8 19-Nov-07 WH1336 BBG204 07-146 LAC GE 61.3 30 19-Nov-07 WH1339 BX1323 05-036 LAC GE 60.9 31 20-Nov-07 WH1342 WH1343 07-148 LAC GE 33.0 4.9 20-Nov-07 WH1345 BBG212 07-149 LAC GE 44.9 10.9 20-Nov-07 WH1344 BBG211 07-150 LAC GE 44.7 14.7 20-Nov-07 WH1346 BBG207 07-151 LAC GE 48.2 15 20-Nov-07 WH1347 BBG208 07-152 LAC GE 61.9 35 20-Nov-07 WH1348 BBG213 07-153 LAC GE 45.6 12.6 21-Nov-07 WH1349 BBG6214 07-155 LAC GE 40.4 8 21-Nov-07 WH1350 BBG209 07-154 LAC GE 51.6 19 21-Nov-07 WH1351 BBG210 07-156 LAC GE 41.9 10,2 21-Nov-07 WH1352 BBG215 07-157 LAC GE 51.7 17,4 22-Nov-07 WH1353 BX1069 03-077 LAC GE 64.0 38 22-Nov-07 WH1354 BBG217 07-159 LAC GE 72.5 60 22-Nov-07 WH1355 BBG216 07-160 LAC GE 49.9 9.4 22-Nov-07 WH1356 BBG218 07-161 LAC GE 44.7 12

26 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Green turtles (continued) Date Measure capture Tag left Tag right Turtle ID Location d by SCL Weight 23-Nov-07 WH1357 BBG219 07-162 LAC GE 45.9 12.3 23-Nov-07 WH1358 BBG220 07-163 LAC GE 64.1 38 23-Nov-07 WH1365 BBG221 07-164 LAC GE 65.7 40 26-Nov-07 WH1360 BBG223 07-169 LAC GE 41.4 9.1 26-Nov-07 WH1361 BBG224 07-170 LAC GE 61.7 34 26-Nov-07 WH1362 BBG225 07-171 LAC GE 63.6 37 26-Nov-07 WH1363 BBG226 07-172 LAC GE 45.6 12.5 26-Nov-07 WH1364 BBG227 07-173 LAC GE 66.9 44 26-Nov-07 WH1264 BX1275 07-072 LAC GE 51.6 23 27-Nov-07 WH1390 BBG230 07-175 LAC GE 66.5 40 27-Nov-07 WH1368 BBG232 07-176 LAC GE 44.9 13.2 27-Nov-07 WH1367 BBG229 07-177 LAC GE 41.8 10 27-Nov-07 WH1366 BBG228 07-178 LAC GE 64.4 38 28-Nov-07 WH1370 BBG235 07-180 Out of Lac GE 57.7 24 28-Nov-07 WH1371 BBG236 07-183 Out of Lac GE 68.6 45 29-Nov-07 WH1099 BX1173 06-089 Out of Lac GE 48.6 14.9 29-Nov-07 WH1377 BBG234 07-187 Out of Lac GE 63.5 38 29-Nov-07 WH1376 BBG231 07-188 Out of Lac GE 61.7 34 29-Nov-07 WH1378 BBG241 07-189 Out of Lac GE 65.7 40 29-Nov-07 WH1374 BBG238 07-190 Out of Lac GE 61.4 32 29-Nov-07 WH1380 BBG242 07-192 Out of Lac GE 67.6 46 30-Nov-07 WH1381 WH1382 07-193 Sorobon Pier GE 33.1 5.1 30-Nov-07 WH1385 WH1386 07-194 Sorobon Pier GE 34.1 5.1 30-Nov-07 WH1383 WH1384 07-195 Sorobon Pier GE 35.6 5.9 30-Nov-07 WH1388 BBG239 07-196 Sorobon Pier GE 45.5 12.4 30-Nov-07 WH1389 WH1391 07-197 Sorobon Pier GE 39.9 7.9 30-Nov-07 WE4250 BX1322 05-034 Out of Lac GE 59.7 32

27 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Hawksbill turtles Date Measure capture Tag left Tag right Turtle ID Location d by SCL Weight 22-Jan-07 WH1201 BX1250 07-001 Sweet dreams GE 35.6 5.5 22-Jan-07 WH1190 WH1191 07-002 Atlantis GE 27.6 2.6 22-Jan-07 WH1016 BX1359 06-004 Atalntis GE 40.3 8 24-Jan-07 WH1192 WH1193 07-004 GE 30.4 3.8 29-Jan-07 07-006 Sweet Dreams GE 22.9 1.5 31-Jan-07 WH1018 WH1017 06-028 White Slave GE 27.4 2.4 5-Feb-07 WH1220 WH1219 07-010 Divi Flamingo Beach GE 29.7 2.8 7-Feb-07 WH1019 BX1360 06-008 Playa Pabou GE 46.6 11.3 7-Feb-07 WE4058 WE4059 03-043 Playa Pabou GE 46.4 11.6 9-Feb-07 WH1221 BX1240 07-013 Oil Slick GE 40.7 8.2 9-Feb-07 BX1241 WH1222 05-058 1.000 steps GE 34.9 4.9 9-Feb-07 WH1223 WH1224 06-103 1.000 steps GE 28.6 2.9 12-Feb-07 BX1247 WH1194 07-017 Karpata/reserve GE 37.0 5.8 12-Feb-07 WH1053 WH1023 06-015 Karpata/reserve GE 37.3 6.3 14-Feb-07 07-022 Karpata GE 26.1 2 16-Feb-07 WH1202 BX1248 07-023 BOPEC GE 34.1 4.8 16-Feb-07 BX1247 WH1200 07-024 Nukove GE 30.8 3.2 16-Feb-07 07-025 Nukove GE 26.6 2.1 21-Feb-07 07-030 Playa Frans GE 21.2 1.1 26-Feb-07 WH1210 WH1209 07-035 Sweet Dreams GE 29.9 2.9 26-Feb-07 BX1253 WH1228 07-039 Margae Bay GE 45.9 10 26-Feb-07 WE4209 WE4208 04-081 Sweet Dreams GE 35.4 4.5 28-Feb-07 BX1254 WH1229 07-040 Punt Vierkant GE 42.9 8.1 28-Feb-07 WH1230 WH1231 06-104 Punt Vierkant GE 27.3 2.1 2-Mar-07 WH1232 WH1233 07-042 Petries Piller GE 29.4 3 2-Mar-07 WH1139 WH1138 06-124 Andrea I GE 31.9 4.1 5-Mar-07 07-044 Witches Hut GE 24.9 1.9 7-Mar-07 07-047 Reserve GE 24.2 1.4 7-Mar-07 WH1238 WH1239 07-048 Reserve GE 26.8 1.9 7-Mar-07 07-049 Reserve GE 22.5 1.5 7-Mar-07 WH1053 WH1023 06-015 Reserve GE 37.5 6.4 9-Mar-07 WH1243 BX1256 07-053 Playa Franz GE 45.2 9.5 9-Mar-07 WH1244 BX1257 07-054 Playa Franz GE 50.6 14.3 19-Mar-07 WH1249 BX1262 07-062 Lac GE 61.2 26 20-Mar-07 WH1259 BX1271 07-067 Lac GE 55.4 21 20-Mar-07 WH1256 BX1268 06-025 Lac GE 35.3 5.2 22-Mar-07 WH1265 BX1277 07-075 Lac GE 44.6 11 22-Mar-07 WH1042 BX1391 06-053 Out of Lac GE 57.9 23 26-Mar-07 WH1278 BX1288 07-091 Out of Lac GE 50.8 15.2 26-Mar-07 WH1172 BX1221 06-158 Out of Lac GE 52.9 18.5 27-Mar-07 WH1289 BX1299 07-093 Out of Lac GE 41.3 7.9 27-Mar-07 WH1283 BX1293 07-094 Out of Lac GE 50.0 15.7 27-Mar-07 WH1043 BX1392 06-051 Out of Lac GE 60.4 25 28-Mar-07 WH1174 BX1223 06-162 Lac GE 59.5 25 29-Mar-07 WH1295 WH1294 07-114 Out of Lac GE 53.4 20 11-apr-07 WH1006 BX1354 05-098 Nearest Point GE 38.1 6.5 12-apr-07 WH1323 WH1322 07-126 Ebo's GE 27.9 2,2 12-apr-07 WE4192 BX1117 04-065 Ebo's GE 40.0 7 13-apr-07 WH1320 WH1319 07-130 Ebo's GE 31.2 3.5 13-apr-07 WE4021 WE4022 03-013 Ebo's GE 44.4 9 13-apr-07 WH1318 WH1317 05-080 Ebo's GE 34.7 4.6 16-apr-07 WH1326 WH1321 07-132 Ebo's GE 31.2 3.6

28 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Hawksbill turtles (continued) Date Measure capture Tag left Tag right Turtle ID Location d by SCL Weight 16-apr-07 WE4055 WE4056 03-038 Ebo's GE 42.0 9 16-apr-07 WH1328 WH1327 06-123 Leonora GE 27.1 2.1 17-apr-07 07-135 Nearest Point GE 23.2 1.5 17-apr-07 WE4184 WE4185 04-059 Ebo's GE 38.3 6.9 17-apr-07 WE4195 WE4196 04-070 Nearest Point GE 41.0 7.1 30-May-07 WH1329 WH1330 07-137 Fisherman's hut GE 95.8 12-Jul-07 BX1124 WE4198 04-072 No Name KB GE 84.9 23-Nov-07 WH1256 BX1268 06-025 LAC GE 40.4 8.2 23-Nov-07 WH1173 BX1222 06-163 LAC GE 52.1 16.8 26-Nov-07 WH1265 BX1277 07-075 LAC GE 50.6 16 26-Nov-07 WH1359 BBG222 07-167 LAC GE 68.8 49 28-Nov-07 WH1369 BBG233 07-181 Out of Lac GE 44.3 9.4 28-Nov-07 WH1372 BBG237 07-184 Out of Lac GE 40.9 8.8 28-Nov-07 WH1373 BBG240 07-185 Out of Lac GE 67.3 47 28-Nov-07 WH1172 BX1221 06-158 Out of Lac GE 56.7 24 28-Nov-07 WH1107 BX1181 06-096 Out of Lac GE 52.2 18 12-Dec-07 WH1392 BB6248 07-199 Morotin GE 75.1

29 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Appendix II. List of nests observed on Klein Bonaire during 2007.

Activity Observation number Location stake date Species Observations 1 894 11-May-07 Loggerhead missing left hind flipper 2 1120 16-May-07 Loggerhead 3 335 23-May-07 Loggerhead missing left hind flipper 4 880 26-May-07 Loggerhead 5 1230 1-Jun-07 Loggerhead 6 820 15-Jun-07 Loggerhead 7 1200 15-Jun-07 Hawksbill 8 550 18-Jun-07 Loggerhead 9 Munks Haven 9-Jun-07 Loggerhead Washed away 10 Munks Haven 22-Jun-07 Loggerhead Washed away 11 500 25-Jun-07 Hawksbill 12 1008 25-Jun-07 Loggerhead Not found 13 1122 29-Jun-07 Hawksbill Olive 14 335 2-Jul-07 Loggerhead 15 610 2-Jul-07 Hawksbill Not found 16 1550 4-Jul-07 Loggerhead Tabaco 17 1602 9-Jul-07 Loggerhead mangrove 18 1500 11-Jul-07 Hawksbill Olive 19 750 12-Jul-07 Hawksbill Olive 20 1200 16-Jul-07 Hawksbill Olive 21 1530 18-Jul-07 Loggerhead Dunes 22 1030 18-Jul-07 Loggerhead 23 660 23-Jul-07 Loggerhead Dune/open 24 1603 25-Jul-07 Hawksbill Open/dune 25 580 27-Jul-07 Loggerhead Dunes 26 1530 6-Aug-07 Loggerhead relocated to dune 27 1515 6-Aug-07 Hawksbill 28 857 8-Aug-07 Hawksbill Olive 29 1850 8-Aug-07 Hawksbill Dune 30 8-Aug-07 Loggerhead 31 20-Jul-07 Loggerhead 32 580 27-Jul-07 Loggerhead 33 668 11-Aug-07 Hawksbill laid around 10:00 am 34 413 13-Aug-07 Hawksbill Olive 35 1048 20-Aug-07 Loggerhead Dune/tabaco 36 793 22-Aug-07 Hawksbill 37 1010 22-Aug-07 Hawksbill 38 520 22-Aug-07 Loggerhead found hatched 39 413 13-Aug-07 Hawksbill found hatched 40 753 26-Aug-07 Hawksbill last nest from Eloise 41 520 7-Sep-07 Hawksbill Dune 42 1530 11-Sep-07 Loggerhead Tabaco 43 1250 11-Sep-07 Hawksbill Dune 44 400 18-Sep-07 Hawksbill Olive 45 1640 26-Sep-07 Hawksbill 46 1065 3-Oct-07 Hawksbill Behind olives 47 925 9-Oct-07 Hawksbill Olive 48 536 17-Oct-07 Hawksbill Olive 49 230 17-Oct-07 Loggerhead Open 50 735 19-Oct-07 Hawksbill Small tree 51 955 08-Jan-08 Hawksbill Small tree

30 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007 Appendix III. List of nests on other Bonaire beaches during 2007

Observation Location date Species Observations Fisherman's Huts 7-May-07 Loggerhead GPS:04/02.433N/15.913W Fisherman's Huts 18-May-07 Loggerhead GPS:05/02.467N/15.925W - rocks Fisherman's Huts 30-May-07 Loggerhead 12.02.447/68.15.916 / transmitter on 52045 Fisherman's Huts 12-Jun-07 Loggerhead N 10.665 W 18.164 transmitter off Light House Beach Resort 11-Jul-07 Green turtle N09.901/W17.520 Atlantis 24-Jul-07 Green turtle N 02.682 / W 10.012 - Darwina - transmitter Atlantis 8-Aug-07 Green turtle Darwina's third nest Fisherman's hut 22-Aug-07 Green turtle Darwina's 4th nest - 02.545 N / 15.955 W Fisherman's hut 7-Sep-07 Green turtle 100 meters south of the hut Playa Chikitu 20-Sep-07 Green turtle 21 meters from Rock, 16.768N/20.892W Atlantis/10 mts from #1 (Darwina) 27-Sep-07 Green turtle 02.686N/16.009W Playa Chikitu / Washington Park 29-Sep-07 Green turtle Playa Chikitu/Washington Park 9-Oct-07 Green turtle 50 meters from Rocks Sweet Dreams 18-Jun-07 Hawksbill N 10.098 / W 18.338 Sweet Dreams 21-Jun-07 Hawksbill N 10.098 / W 18.338 Sweet Dreams 21-Jun-07 Hawksbill Confirmed late / hatched already Sorobon Naturist Beach Hotel 26-Jun-07 Hawksbill N 10.048 W 18.106 Sweet Dreams 5-Jul-07 Hawksbill N 10.094 / W 15.746 Donkey Beach 24-Jul-07 Hawksbill N 07.937 / W 16.966 Onima 25-Jul-07 Hawksbill Center of the beach Onima 3-Aug-07 Hawksbill Close to the rock Donkey beach 3-Sep-07 Hawksbill 07.920/16.991 under mangrove tree

31 Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Progress Report for 2007